Pico slave camp

Picworo  is the word for 'rocks of fear' it is here that slave traders would bring slaves to be held until they were sold to buyers and then taken to the next camp and eventually the coast where the people would be taken by boat to the americas for slavery.

In the rocks of this space you can see the impressions of where people are, where people danced, where people were sold at auction, where the guards watched for raiders (those who wanted to free those who had been captured) and where people were punished. All of the rocks still stand.

To hear the story was to listen to families be torn apart, lives destroyed for profits. And it was Africans capturing and selling Africans because the white man could not come in land without getting malaria. A system that did not see all created equally, a system that promoted economic prosperity over community, a system that crushed dignity to gain power.

While our day was breathtakingly beautiful with sunshine and a breeze, it also stole your breath to realize the pain that was endured in the same space.

Journeys

Today we got up early and made our way by plane to Tamale and then by car to Bolgatanga. The northern part of Ghana is a gorgeous, a landscaper of agriculture and small villages. A beautiful road took us to Bolgatanga and I was amazed to see power lines run with us the whole way (very different from Guinea 20years ago!).

Vesta is in charge of us now and doing a terrific job of making sure are all hydrated and safely wherever we need to be. She exudes joy and and a terrific sense of humor.

Monday

And we are off again!

Today we travel by plane to Tamale and then by bus to Bolgatanga. We will visit a slave camp this afternoon where people were held until they came to the coast. We return to Accra on Thursday. 

Sunday!

The pilgrims!

Sam, Charline, Nina, Heidi, Lisa, Joe, Tom, Sarah, CJ, and me! (Sean is taking the pic)

It was a beautiful morning for worship at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity! What a gift it was to gather and pray as our first activity together in Ghana.

Like any Anglican Church the liturgy was familiar, just with a Ghanaian twist. As mentioned from the earlier group in January, the service was lengthy (4hrs) and the offertory was done twice. 

While attending we noticed that there were many parishioners who had clothing made from the same fabric that celebrated the 150th anniversay of the cathedral, a festive print complete with a photo of the church! All the same fabric and yet so many individual styles. 

The joy of the congregation was most felt during the offertory when each person came up to give their tithe AND a special joy offering for the day they were born (Monday was the day that had the most money donated)--- everyone danced their way up singing to the music and giving from their heart. I do believe this portion of the service was longer that the sermon!!

Another moment was at the conclusion of the service when special blessings were given. The Dean of the cathedral asked for a special blessing for his daughter, a major in the army, going to do peace keeping work in Lebanon for the next years. 

We have eaten lunch and continue to get to know our group of ten and the SMALL episcopal world we live in! 

Arrived. Safe and sound!

Here safe and sound, not sure what day it is but tomorrow is sunday! 

More info and such tomorrow!

Thankful for safe travels, new friends and the adventure that lies ahead!

Where are you going and how are you doing?

Yesterday my second flight was scheduled to depart at 7pm. We did not depart until 9:30pm for several reasons. The good news is that we arrived safely.

When you travel have you noticed some people are traveling a small window and need to get there and get back, no diversions. Some people are not pressed, when they get there they get there.

We all got to deplaned last night at one point and if you want to hear discontent, just watch a plane that deplaned and not given any idea if they will leave that night or not. There was angst!

I ended up sitting down by a woman in the terminal who was waiting for a flight to Miami to see her dying sister. While the delays of her flight added almost 12hrs to her day she also knew when she arrived things would not be easy.

I also ended up leading the 'parade' of a pregnant mother with a 2,4 and 6year old. I helped schlep the car seat on and off the plane.... they were moving to England, dad already here and serving in the military. Reminded me a lot of my family when we moved from Tacoma Washington to West Berlin, Germany. All 4kids and mom and dad- quite the adventure.

Now I sit in Heathrow, people watching and eating a salad. YUM. My six hour layover became 3hours and then I have one more 7hr flight til arrival, where new friends await!

All checked in!

And so it begins!

All checked in and now waiting at the gate. I will arrive in Accra tomorrow at about 3:30pm EST. three planes and lots of time in between! 

I realized recently that 20years ago on July 1, I got on a plane to begin my peace corps experience in Guinea. God has a sneaky sense of timing to have me flying at the same dates this year to meet a new group of travelers looking to see incredible work being done in this world, this time in Ghana.

I am excited to meet new friends, learn about culture and programs, and see what God has in story!

Thank you for your prayers! So thankful for St. John's support in this adventure!

(I am back on July 9)

Abi